Calgary is Canada's third-largest city in terms of population. It is located in the west of the country, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It stands out for having been ranked in various surveys and studies as one of the cities in the world with the best quality of life, as one of the best places to live, and as one of the cleanest cities on the planet.
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| Calgary Peace Bridge over the Bow River |
Santiago Calatrava, a renowned Spanish architect as prestigious as he is controversial, created one of the city's contemporary icons: the Peace Bridge.
Opened in March 2012, it spans the Bow River, linking downtown with the Sunyside district. Around 5,000 people cross the walkway every day, which has a central space for bicycles and two sidewalks for pedestrians.
Its construction was not easy, as its designer had to comply with strict requirements imposed by the city council to reduce the impact on the environment: it could not have foundations that would sink into the water or piers on the banks. In addition, due to its proximity to the heliport, he had to follow other unusual premises: it should be built with a limited height, but with a sufficient elevation to allow it to withstand frost and the rising currents of the river.
The bridge is made up of a helical steel structure, without asymmetrical shapes, and combining the colors red and white (colors of the Canadian flag) and its glass cover allows it to be used all year round.
In theory, the bridge is designed to withstand flooding and has a lifespan of about 75 years.